Day 30: Women's Bill of Rights gets a public hearing
Good morning and welcome back to 60 Days, your daily guide to the West Virginia Legislature.
Today is Thursday, February 8, 2024 — the 30th day — and the halfway point of the regular 60 day legislative session.
Today is Agriculture Day at the Capitol. Also, The West Virginia Council of Churches will hold its annual “Compassion Calls Us Day” near the state Attorney General’s office beginning at 10 a.m. And although the Activity Calendar makes no mention of it, the Senate has a resolution on its floor agenda to make today Tucker County Day at the Legislature.
Who doesn’t love Tucker County? No better place to wake up and sip coffee.
Today’s Agenda:
Let’s start with a reminder:
The House Judiciary Committee is holding a public hearing first thing this morning. It’s on H.B. 5243 — the proposal that would create the Women’s Bill of Rights.
The measure is part of a nationwide push by a group called Independent Women’s Voice. It’s based on the group’s model legislation that defines “male” and “female” as based on biological sex at birth. It also seeks to protect women only spaces such as locker rooms, bathrooms and domestic violence shelters.
Governor Justice is championing the bill, saying he will sign it, making the West Virginia the fifth state to adopt the measure. Opponents say the proposal would do nothing to protect women and would marginalize transgender people.
The public hearing gets underway at 8:30 a.m. in the House Chamber. If you want to speak, turn up a half-hour early to register. Can’t be at the Capitol? Watch it online here.
The Women’s Bill of Rights bill will be on second reading when the House convenes its floor session at 11 a.m. Also on second reading is the committee substitute for H. B. 4233 - which would prohibit the use of “non-binary” on West Virginia birth certificates. You can find the full floor agenda here.
Beyond resolutions, the Senate doesn’t have anything up for a passage vote, but that doesn’t mean there is nothing significant on the calendar today.
On second reading:
Com. Sub. for Com. Sub. for S. B. 441 - Restricting driving in left lane of multi-lane highways in WV
Eng. Com. Sub. for H. B. 5045 - Related to the administration of the West Virginia Water Pollution Control Act, and Underground Carbon Dioxide Sequestration and Storage. The original House bill is similar to S.B. 596, which is also on second reading today. The bills would pave the way for the state hydrogen hub and other carbon capture projects.
On first reading:
S. B. 378 would ban smoking in cars with kids under 16. For years, supporters have sought to limit children’s exposure to secondhand smoke in vehicles. The measure made it out of committee for the first time this week and is on its way to a vote by the full Senate. You might see opposition from those who view it as a parental rights issue.
And here’s a look at House and Senate committees meeting today:
9:30 a.m. – House Committee on Fire Departments and EMS
9:45 a.m. – House Jails and Prisons Committee
10:00 a.m. — Senate Government Organization Committee
10:00 a.m. — Senate Education Committee
10:45 a.m. – House Committee on Rules
10:45 a.m. — Senate Committee on Rules
1:00 p.m. – House Economic Development and Tourism Committee
1:00 p.m. — Senate Energy Industry and Mining Committee
1:00 p.m. — Senate Health and Human Resources Committee
3:00 p.m. – House Health and Human Resources Committee
3:00 p.m. – House Committee on Technology and Infrastructure
3:00 p.m. — Senate Judiciary Committee
3:00 p.m. — Senate Finance Committee
Democratic lawmakers are to discuss their legislative priorities today. They are planning to hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m. in Building 1, Room 252M.
60 Days links: Reading that’s good for you and good for West Virginia. Click on the links to help support the reporters who work at the state Capitol day in, day out.
Lori Kersey of West Virginia Watch reports on the raw milk bill. The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee advanced it over health concerns. Before it reaches the floor, it will have to make it past the House Health and Human Resources Committee.
Black West Virginians are lobbying lawmakers to address the issues that affect their communities. P.R. Lockhart of Mountain State Spotlight reports on Black Policy Day at the Legislature.
West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin appeard on CNN after Senate Republicans rejectd a bipartisan bill that couple border security with aid to Ukraine and Israel. Watch Manchin’s interview here.
And stop by Governor Justice’s office at the state Capitol and take a look at the winning entries from this year’s Almost Heaven Governor’s Art Exhibition. The winners chosen from among elementary, middle and high school students will be used on postcards by the state Department of Tourism. If you can’t make it to the Capitol to see them in person, you can find them online. Take a look. There’s some really good stuff here.
Resources:
Know of any bills we should be keeping tabs on? Any events, press conferences, etc., we should know about? Tell us about them in the comments.